Argentina beat France on penalties to win thrilling World Cup final

Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties to win the 2022 World Cup after a 3-3 draw in a thrilling final at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Sunday.

Argentina raced into a two-goal lead through Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria before two Kylian Mbappe goals saw holders France pull level in spectacular fashion. Messi put Argentina ahead in extra-time before Mbappe completed his hat trick from the penalty spot to send the game to a penalty shootout.

The result means Messi, who was playing in his record 25th and final World Cup match, achieved a fairytale ending as he lifts the trophy for the first time -- the only major honour to have eluded him in his career.

It is Argentina's third World Cup title after previous victories in 1978 and 1986.

While France, who won the tournament's previous edition in 2018, were denied in their bid to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.

Di Maria's inclusion over Leonardo Parades was the only change for Argentina from the semifinal victory over Croatia. France made two changes as Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot started after missing their semifinal win against Morocco with a virus that impacted the French squad for the past week.

Messi opened the scoring with a 23rd-minute penalty, with teammate and surprise starter Di Maria doubling their advantage shortly after as Argentina looked increasingly likely to run out comfortable winners.

But France, who took until 71 minutes to register a single shot, burst into life late in the game and were rewarded when substitute Randal Kolo Muani won a penalty with little more than 10 minutes remaining, which Mbappe scored.

Mbappe scored again almost immediately after as France won the ball back at the halfway-line before eventually feeding the PSG man with a floated pass on the edge of the box that he volleyed into the bottom right corner, sending the game to extra-time.

Argentina thought they had won in extra-time when Messi pounced to slot home a parry from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but France equalised again before time was out as Mbappe completed his hat trick with another penalty following a Gonzalo Montiel handball, sending the game to a shootout.

The goal -- Mbappe's eighth in Qatar -- also meant he beat Messi to the tournament's Golden Boot award.

Mbappe and Messi converted the two opening penalties, but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved the next two France efforts from Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni before Montiel stepped up and converted to help Argentina to a 4-2 win on penalties.